Marathon de Paris

 The Paris Marathon is a unique opportunity to discover the city whilst participating in one of the most exciting races over the mythical distance of 26 miles, 385 yards.

The Paris Marathon is today one of the five biggest in the world (along with New-York, London, Berlin and Chicago), not only in terms of the field present, but also by the performances accomplished, the services and logistics put in place and the media coverage.

One hundred nations and more than 40,000 runners will be competing over the 26 miles and 385 yards of the most mythical event that athletics has to offer.
On the second weekend of April, this journey through Paris, from the Champs-Elysées to avenue Foch via the Bois de Vincennes and Bois de Boulogne woods, boasts an unrivalled backdrop dotted with a wealth of popular events.

The “Running Expo” fair at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre during the 3 days leading up to the Marathon has also become an unmissable event, by bringing together 60,000 visitors and around 200 professionals from the running world.


Each year, this route appeals to more and more athlete-tourists, with almost 16,000 competitors from outside France, making up approximately 40% of the field.

The personal challenge of the race also combines with a visit of the city, as the runners hit the streets in the most prestigious of thoroughfares and squares: at the foot of the Arc de Triomphe, the participants take starter’s orders, before heading down the Champs-Elysées, towards Place de la Concorde.

The Rue de Rivoli then leads runners to the Place de la Bastille and after the greenery of the Bois de Vincennes wood, the difficulty of the return journey is soothed by views of the Notre-Dame Cathedral and then the Eiffel Tower.

The Paris Marathon is a mass event, with 50 000 registered people. Starting on the prestigious Champs-Elysées is comfortable:

• access by public transport is very close
• access to start is easy by two broad sidewalks
• luggage deposit are relatively close (avenue Foch)
• the first km is run on a 28 meters wide avenue.

The route then takes you to the heart of the capital, along the beautiful sites and monuments.

Thus we will stagger the departure of 50,000 participants.
After the warm up music orchestrated by the coaches, start area will be opened one side at a time to limit the number of competitors starting simultaneously.

The first two starting zones (elites and preferential) will go as a group, at the starting signal.
The start of each other areas (red, yellow, blue ... pink) will follow simultaneously based on the ranking of the areas on the departure line.
There will be no delay between the starts of different timing references.

Of course, the timing system will allow you to get your real race time; the chip is detected when crossing the start line.

The start will be at 8h35 for the disable and at 8h45 for the others.

Refreshments
Every 5 km (water, raisins, oranges and bananas).

Sponges
Every 5 km from km 7,5.

Timing
Will be shown every 5 km, km 1, km 21,1 and at finish line.

Duration of the race : 6h.

Medal and certificate for all finishers.


The finish line is located on Avenue Foch after 42.195km of hard efforts!

 

What is the date of the Paris Marathon?

The 37th Paris Marathon will take place on Sunday, April 7th, 2013.

Who can register?

The race is open to all athletes, sport federation members and non members, of French or foreign nationality, born in or before 1993. All athletes must be in possession of a medical certificate.
The race is limited to 46 000 runners.

What time does the race start?

At the top of the Champs Elysées.

• starting time handisports (disabled sports): 8.35 am,
• starting time marathon: 8.45 a.m.

Where is the finish line?

At the bottom of Avenue Foch.

What is the timing system?

Every runner will be given a Chip (chip stuck on the back of each bib) when collecting his bib and kit bag at Running Expo. Check points will be placed at the start, every 5km and at the finish, to control each competitor's time.

Is there something to eat and drink along the route?

Every 5km, you will find mineral water, dry fruits, fresh fruits and sugar.
+ at km 10, 20, 25, 30 and 35.

Training in music

Imagine running the marathon of Paris with a personal trainer by your side..

The Paris Marathon course provides a unique and original running tour around the City of Light. Jiwok - your mp3 personal trainer - adds a new cultural element to its fitness service, offering you a world exclusive, one of a kind marathon training program:

The Paris Marathon has teamed up with Jiwok to create a unique audio training program in Mp3 format. This program will guide you through your marathon with expert advice and encouragement as well as time alerts to keep you on track. In addition, your coach will also direct you through the various historical sites and architectural wonders of Paris that you encounter in your stride. Your session includes an Mp3 music track based on your favorite musical genres, which is then mixed with the voice of a Jiwok coach.

For example, you will hear the coach say the following:
Sample race advice:

• "Stay calm from the start, there are many people around you, don't get carried away."
• "On the incline, use a small, economic stride."
• "Attention - provisions coming soon, keep topped up with supplies."
• "You should be in your 3rd km."

Sample of a tourist guide:

• "The Louvre Museum."
• "Just after the Tuileries Gardens on your right you'll see the Louvre and its famous pyramid.."
• "It is the largest museum in Paris and its surface spans over 60,000 square metres..."

These free audio programs will be available in French and English a few weeks before the start of the Marathon.

Jiwok

Jiwok offers a unique fitness service that coaches you by mixing music with the voice of a professional trainer.  With Jiwok, your experienced coach is in your mp3 player.  This is a simple, fun and motivating way to achieve your marathon goal.  Jiwok offers a range of marathon training programs to suit your fitness level and availability. The Marathon of Paris offers a chance to try it out.

The Great Wall Marathon

I heard of the Great Wall Marathon years ago, before I really did much running (here read: became addicted), and even then thought as though this sounded like an incredible experience. 

This has to be in my TOP 5 must do races.

Marathon Information:

The Great Wall Marathon features three distances: a full marathon - 42.195km/26.2mi, a half marathon - 21.1km/13.1mi and a 7.5km/4.6mi Fun Run.  All three distances start and finish at the Yin and Yang Square, at the fortress at the Huanyaguang section of the Great Wall, Tianjin province. The race will start in waves with intervals of ten minutes. You will be assigned to a wave based on the running time you provided on the entry form.

 The first section which covers approximately 9 kilometres takes runners to and over the Great Wall. This part of the course is marked by steep ascents and descents of up to 10% and consists of thousands of steps. Runners are advised to run slowly going up and down the mountain, as well as to walk when tackling the steepest parts of the Great Wall. Full marathoners will complete this section of the course twice, whereas half marathoners will only pass it once. The second section of the course, which takes runners through picturesque villages and rice fields, is run on flat asphalt and gravel roads. All roads are in good condition and do not require special footwear. Full marathoners should prepare for a long ascent at approximately 21 kilometres.

"The course is much tougher than traditional marathons with participants challenged by 5,164 stone steps and many steep ascents and descents"

 
Kilometre signs are placed at each kilometre along the route. The signs are colour coded according to the distance they represent. The signs will also indicate the equivalent distance in miles. Timing mats will be strategically placed on the route to ensure that all runners complete the distance they are registered for. There will be water stations at approximately every 4 kilometers along the route. Some stations will also serve energy drinks and bananas.

FREE massages at the finish - best idea ever!

The finish line for all distances is located at the centre of the Yin and Yang Square. All runners will receive a medal after crossing the finish line. Results will be posted at Yin and Yang Square during the race. Final results will be published here. Lunch will be served at the designated area. A limited number of cold showers are available in the neighboring courtyard of the Yin and Yang Square.  A massage service is available at the entrance of the Yin and Yang Square-Your entry ticket is valid for one free massage (Brilliant!).



It is actually not possible to compete in the Great Wall Marathon without signing up for a tour package.  Lots of marathon tour operators offer package deals that include race entry, accommodation, sightseeing tours and meals.  I am not promoting any company or travel offer, but in my extensive day dreaming research I have found tours that offer some pretty sweet experiences surrounding the marathon itself.  Here are some of the tour inclusions that I like the sound of:

• Meals, hotel, transport to/from marathon SORTED
• Registration pack waiting for you on arrival
• Pre-race marathon route inspection (a couple of days before the race), usually includes a walk on the Great Wall!
• Tours of Bejing (or freedom to explore)
• Various package tours and 'experiences' in rural and suburban China

Fingers and running shoes crossed, that this is a run I get to do one day soon.

Disney World Marathon

 Kerry McCarthy shared her experiences of running the Disney World Marathon in the April 2013 issue of Runners World (this is where I heard about this race).  McCarthy's race included plenty of Disney character action, including being chased by a cutlass-weilding Captain Jack Sparrow.  Highlights of the marathon include:

• Mickey Mouse's startline speech
• Starting line fire works display
• Disney tunes playing on loud speakers throughout the course (although maybe there are only so many times one could hear "Its a small world" in the course of a marathon
• Gospel choir stationed a km from the finish to boost you the final distance.
• Special Disney medals
• Closing ceremony in the park after it has closed for the day

McCarthy was amazed by the huge crowds of spectators and supporters that cheered on every runner "they roar you on, making eye contact and giving you personal encouragement at the top of their voices" (this sounds like an excellent reason to do this race all on its own!).  Spectators "even jump out onto the course and run with you if they feel like you need a boost, as well as waving halarious placards that they've spent ages making for every runner taking part". God bless American spectators!

One of the highest-highlights of McCarthys race included "laughing at the 30km mark where a troupe of characters were digging graces for those who had hit the wall - many runners flopped head long into a headstoned grave for a photo op!"

Yes, please, this race sounds perfectly awesome, and excellent fun.  The only way I could imagine improving it, would be if you could run between rides - run several kilometers, then enjoy the Pirates of the Caribean ride, before running a few more k's to the next adventure.

Here is some of the sort of info I alway love to read about my bucket-list races while I dream about enetering them one day.

Walt Disney World Marathon Information:

The Walt Disney World® Marathon course takes you through all four Walt Disney World Theme Parks, starting at Epcot, continuing on to the Magic Kingdom Park, Disney's Animal Kingdom Park and Disney's Hollywood Studios before an exhilarating finish back at Epcot.

The Course:

The marathon course takes competitors to the Magic Kingdom Park where they pass through Tomorrowland and Cinderella Castle, then to Walt Disney World Speedway followed by a trip through Disney’s Animal Kingdom, where they will run past the Expedition Everest attraction.

After Animal Kingdom the course heads towards the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and the Mile 20 Spectacular before entering the lights, camera, and action of Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  Runners pass through Washington Square Garden, get a taste of the Big Apple on New York Street and pass by the Sorcerer’s Hat before exiting the park at the end of Hollywood Blvd.  Finally, athletes run by the charming coastal village of Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort and through Epcot for to the unforgettable finish!

Beverage Stations and Food Stops:

A total of 21 water stops will be located along the course. All stops offer water and lemon-lime Powerade. There will be four food stops located along the course.

• Chiquita bananas will be available at Mile 11.5 and Mile 18.3  
• Clif products will be distributed at Mile 15.4 and Mile 19.4 
• Sponges will be provided at Mile 17.1
• Lolly’s will be available at Mile 22.5.

Pacing Requirements:

All athletes entering the Marathon and the Half Marathon must be able to maintain a 16-minute per mile (9.9min/km) pace throughout the race. Anyone who is not able to maintain a 16-minute per mile pace may be picked up and transported to the Family Reunion Area at Epcot.

You may be picked up at any point along the course for not maintaining a 16-minute per mile pace. It is suggested that athletes train for a 15-minute per mile (9.3min/km) pace or faster to allow time for breaks (restroom breaks, photo opportunities, etc.). 

Results and Runner Tracking:

The complete list of results for the Marathon will be posted on Sunday evening. Family and friends will be able to track their participants with live online runner tracking also available on runDisney.com. Participants will have the opportunity to send split times via email,  text messaging and PDAs by registering for this service on the website or at the Expo.